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Council OKs Oct. 31 parade on Union Street

PUNXSUTAWNEY — All the little ghosts and goblins will be happy to know that Punxsutawney Borough Council approved a time and date for this year’s Halloween parade: 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31, hosted by the Punxsutawney Fire Department.

The parade will line up near NAPA Auto Parts and once again travel down Union Street, which was determined by Punxsutawney Borough Police as a safer route than closing Mahoning Street — which is a state route — as had been done in the past.

Council President Susan Glessner said regarding a request by East End residents to hold their own trick-or-treating from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, council need not approve it.

“We approved the parade because it’s held on a borough street, and the members of the fire department come under the borough’s insurance, and it’s a fire department event,” she said.

There will be trick-or-treating held in other sections of the borough following the Monday, Oct. 31, parade.

Michelle “Boo” Lorenzo, one of the organizers of the East End trick-or-treat, said she and some of the other residents are planning a big night of fun for kids and their parents.

Lorenzo said she plans on having about 30 people assisting her with her treats for the East End trick-or-treat. She’s also inviting youngsters and their parents from all over the borough to participate in what she expects to be one of the biggest nights of trick-or-treating ever.

REACT has agreed to help keep the night safe Oct. 29 by placing road flares at the intersections and watching out for trick-or-treaters while crossing the street.

Lorenzo said another reason East End wanted trick-or-treat on Oct. 29 is because it’s easier for the kids, parents and those who participate by handing out treats.

Trick-or-treaters from the East End are also permitted to go door-to-door Oct. 31 in other sections of the borough.

Glessner said no matter which night trick-or-treat is held, residents in any section of the borough handing out treats should turn on their porch lights, and children should not visit any house that doesn’t have an illuminated porch light.

Also Monday, council:
• Approved a motion for solicitor Jay Lundy to advertise an ordinance that would prohibit parking on Grace Way and Water Street.

Borough Manager Ben White said last week, the Public Safety Committee suggested that parking should be eliminated due to the size of the tandem water tank trucks that are run by the natural gas drilling industry. The trucks will travel those two streets quite heavily in order to access the brine treatment facility near the sewage treatment plant.

Committee Chairman Mike Porada said it will be difficult for two trucks of that size to pass each other on those two streets — not only where they intersect, but all the way down to the brine treatment plant.

• Approved a request by Fairlady & Company to close South Findley Street for “Mistletoe Madness,” from noon to 4 p.m Saturday, Nov. 26.

Fairlady owner Bev Fairman said she hopes to have local and regional guests demonstrate their talents at that location. There will be demonstrations and mini-recitals by artists, musicians, dancers, actors, crafters and culinary students.

Fairman would also like to find interested individuals from the local non-profit groups who might like to sell hot foods, such as cocoa or popcorn, in exchange for donations to their organizations.

• Approved a request from the Punxsutawney Area Chamber of Commerce to hold the “Home For The Holidays” parade at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26, along Mahoning Street.

• Approved a request from the Punxsutawney Rotary Club to use the bandstand in Barclay Square to construct its annual Christmas tree and to place smaller trees at ground level around the bandstand for the “Circle of Trees.”